Sunday, October 21, 2018

Piper PA-28-180, registered to and operated by the pilot, N10GJ: Accident occurred November 08, 2017 in Carroll, Fairfield County, Ohio

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. Additional Participating Entity: Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbus, Ohio Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfInvestigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdmshttp://registry.faa.gov/N10GJLocation: Carol, OHAccident Number: CEN18LA036Date & Time: 11/08/2017, 1230 ESTRegistration: N10GJAircraft: PIPER PA 28-180Aircraft Damage: SubstantialDefining Event: Fuel relatedInjuries: 1 NoneFlight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal On November 8, 2017, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-180 airplane, N10GJ, was damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Carroll, Ohio. The pilot was not injured. The airplane received substantial damage to its left wing. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The local flight originated from the Fairfield County Airport(LHQ), Lancaster, Ohio, about 1200.The pilot reported that he was performing takeoff and landing practice and while on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern he applied carburetor heat, 10° flaps, turned on the fuel pump, and reduced throttle to 1,500 rpm to set up for the base leg. He stated that the engine suddenly stopped producing power and was unresponsive to throttle input. He attempted to restart the engine without success. He turned the airplane onto a base leg but had insufficient altitude to make it back to the airport and landed in a field.Subsequent examination of the airplane revealed that it had about 36 gallons of fuel remaining. A ground run of the engine was performed and the engine started and was run for several minutes at power setting from 1,500 to 1,700 rpm. Additional testing of the airplane's electric fuel boost pump and engine driven fuel pump revealed that both pumps were capable of pumping fuel. No anomalies were discovered that would explain the loss of engine power.The temperature and dew point recorded at the accident airport about the time of the accident were 9° and 2° Celsius respectively. The recorded temperature and dew point were in the range of susceptibility for serious carburetor icing at any power setting. An article on carburetor icing published by Flight Safety Australia stated that if ice forms in the carburetor of a fixed pitch propeller aircraft, the restriction to the induction airflow will reduce power and force a drop in rpm, which might be accompanied or followed by rough running as the fuel/air mixture ratio is upset. Applying carburetor heat introduces less dense hot air which will cause a further drop in rpm.Pilot InformationCertificate: PrivateAge: 64, MaleAirplane Rating(s): Single-engine LandSeat Occupied: LeftOther Aircraft Rating(s): NoneRestraint Used:Instrument Rating(s): NoneSecond Pilot Present: NoInstructor Rating(s): NoneToxicology Performed: NoMedical Certification: Class 3 With Waivers/LimitationsLast FAA Medical Exam: 08/01/2016Occupational Pilot: NoLast Flight Review or Equivalent:Flight Time: 450 hours (Total, all aircraft)Aircraft and Owner/Operator InformationAircraft Make: PIPERRegistration: N10GJModel/Series: PA 28-180 180Aircraft Category: AirplaneYear of Manufacture: 1972Amateur Built: NoAirworthiness Certificate: NormalSerial Number: 287205192Landing Gear Type: TricycleSeats: 4Date/Type of Last Inspection: UnknownCertified Max Gross Wt.:Time Since Last Inspection:Engines: 1 ReciprocatingAirframe Total Time:Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMINGELT: Installed, not activatedEngine Model/Series: O-360Registered Owner: On fileRated Power: 180 hpOperator: On fileOperating Certificate(s) Held: NoneMeteorological Information and Flight PlanConditions at Accident Site: Visual ConditionsCondition of Light: DayObservation Facility, Elevation: LHQ, 868 ft mslDistance from Accident Site: Observation Time: 1753 UTCDirection from Accident Site:Lowest Cloud Condition:Visibility: 10 MilesLowest Ceiling: Broken / 10000 ft aglVisibility (RVR):Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /Wind Direction: 60°Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:Altimeter Setting: 30.24 inches HgTemperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 2°CPrecipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No PrecipitationDeparture Point: LANCASTER, OH (LHQ)Type of Flight Plan Filed: NoneDestination: LANCASTER, OH (LHQ)Type of Clearance: NoneDeparture Time: 1200 ESTType of Airspace: Class GAirport InformationAirport: FAIRFIELD COUNTY (LHQ)Runway Surface Type: N/AAirport Elevation: 868 ftRunway Surface Condition: DryRunway Used: 10IFR Approach: NoneRunway Length/Width: 5004 ft / 75 ftVFR Approach/Landing: Forced LandingWreckage and Impact InformationCrew Injuries: 1 NoneAircraft Damage: SubstantialPassenger Injuries: N/AAircraft Fire: NoneGround Injuries: N/AAircraft Explosion: NoneTotal Injuries: 1 NoneLatitude, Longitude: 39.755556, -82.657222